Bottle carrier



Dec. 5, 1950 v M. G. HALL. 2,532,446

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Oct. 2, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A Inventor @para @.jw/

` yfzzorney' M. G. HALL BOTTLE CARRIER Dec. 5, 1950 Filed oct. 2, 1947 J t cy Dec. 5, 195o WG, HALL 2,532,446

. BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Oct. 2, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 .a r- 2m zal) n f5-" 0 J 22A 4I [23A ,48 l26A Iso 1294 \32 f 24A/ 245/ 4 I62 78 22s Jag 0 I l x R LJ Lz/ [235 /ze [zas /zm f29A /zsa 26a l f l\ f f i@ .6 0 0 21B) 25A/f l JL Inventor 245 24a l ,//gj/nafa Dec 5 1950 M. G. HALL 2,532,446

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Oct. 2, 19-4'7 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 III] @.14 llllh. 4 "24B In uw 1"" '"0 Hr 0R uw fr? ver? for Patented Dec. 5, `195@ BOTTLE CARRIER Maynard G. Hall, Rutherford, N. J., assignor to Empire Box Corporation, Garfield, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application October 2, 1947, Serial No. 777,409

'i Claims.

This invention relates to bottle carriers made from carboard or like material and particularly the invention relates to bottle carriers of the aforesaid character that are collapsible so that they may be shipped in a fiat condition and may be erected at the time when the carriers are to be loaded.

Bottle carriers of the general character to which this invention relates have in the past .been made fronti/cardboard or like material, such carriers usually lbeing constructed to hold six bottles disposed vertically or in upright positions in two rows of three bottles each, and a handle section disposed between these two rows is so connected to the bottom portions of the carrier that the carrier may be readily grasped or lifted when the loaded carrier is to be transported. Prior carriers oi the aforesaid general character have in many instances afforded highly satisfactory structures for the uses for which they are intended, but in such prior carriers, there has often been the disadvantage that excessive material was required so as to cause an unduly high cost, or the devices have been considered objectionable in many instances because of the diiculty of manufacture on conventional ruachines or because of lack of sucient strength in the completed carrier when made of cardboard of the usual thickness or weight.

Bottle carriers of the aforesaid character are in many instances loaded while such carriers are in position in the conventional wood carrying cases, and for this reason, the collapsed or fiat carriers are usually set up and are put in position in the cases and the bottles are thereafter loaded into the cases either manually or by the use of case loading machines, and it is desirable therefore that carriers be so constructed that this may readily be accomplished.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 769,866, filed August 21, 1947, several bottle carrier constructions are illustrated that will attain the purpose above set forth, and such bottle carriers are well adapted to accomplish these functions in most instances where bottle carriers are to be used. However, in the bottle carriers of the aforesaid application, separating means were not provided in many instances between the center bottles of the two rows of bottles, and in those instances where separating means were afforded in this location in such application, these separating means were in such locations in a vertical sense that the proper separating function would not be performed in respect to bottles of some particular shapes that are encountered. It is therefore, an important object of the present invention to enable bottle carriers of the aforesaid character to be provided with highly eillcient central bottle separators, and an object related to the foregoing is to enable this to be accomplished in a. simple and economical manner.

In my aforesaid co-pending application, the central bottle separators that were provided in certain of the embodiments were of such a character as to require a separate attaching operation after the primary carrier-erecting operations had been performed, and this is, of course, objectionable in many instances. It is, therefore, a further object 'of the present invention to enable central bottle separators of the aforesaid character to be moved into their iinal or operative position as an incident to the primary carrier-erecting operations.

In the bottle carriers of the aforesaid copending application, the carrier-erecting operations were performed by applying opposed end wise forces to the outwardly projecting end panels of the collapsed carrier, and in certain of the embodiments illustrated in said co-pending application, means were provided for locking the carrier in its erected relation. The carrier of the present invention is erected by similar carrier-erecting operations, and it is a further object of the present invention to simplify and facilitate the locking of the carrier in its erected relation.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art Without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of 4a bottle carrier embodying the features of the present invention, the carrier being shown in its erected form.

Figs. 2 and 3 are side and end views respectively of the erected carrier shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the erected car rier with the handle in position thereon.

Fig. 5 is a face or plan view of the blank used in forming the carrier of Figs. l to d.

Fig. 6 is a generally similarly face view of the 3 blank after the initial folding operations have been performed.

Fig. 7 is asimilar View of the blank after further folding operations have been performed.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the collapsed carrier in the form which it assumes after further and final folding and securing operations have been performed.

Fig. 9 is an end view of the collapsed carrier.

Figs. 10 and 1l are plan and end views respectively, of the carrier in a partially erected condition.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I2-I2 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the initial form of the handle-receiving slots.

Fig. 12A is a view similar to Fig. 12 and illustrating the relationship of the elements after the handle has been placed in position.

Fig. 13 is a View taken from the right in Fig. 12A and illustrating the way in which the handle elements are inserted.

Fig. 13A is a view similar to Fig. 13 and illustrating a different location for the handlereceiving slots.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and illustrating an alternative form of blank in which locking means are afforded for locking the carrier in an erected condition; and

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the operation of such locking means.

For purpose of disclosure, the invention is herein illustrated in Figs. 1 to 13 as embodied in a collapsible bottle'carrier 20 made from cardboard or like material that is formed by cutting and creasing to afford a blank such as that shown in Fig. 5. This blank is then folded and secured together by a series of steps illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8 to afford a collapsed carrier in the form that is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and this collapsed carrier may be erected to afford a carrier of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings. The carrier embodies rectangular side wall panels 2 IA and 2IB that are joined together at opposite ends by end walls 22 and 23, such end walls being aiorded in each instance by a pair of foldable panels. Thus the end wall 22 has panels 22A and 22B that are foldably joined together and are foldably joined to the opposite side wall panels ZIA and 2IB. Similarly, the end wall 23 comprises panels 23A and 23B that are similarly joined to each other and to the adjacent ends of the side wall panels 2IA and ZIB. The carrier also has a pair of rectangular bottom panels B and 24A that are foldably joined together along the central plane of the carrier and the other edge of the panel 24A is foldably connected to the lower edge of the side wall panel 2IA while the other edge of the bottom panel ZIB is foldably connected to the lower edge of the side wall panel 2| B.

The carrier 20 has the space within the side and end walls divided in a series of separating and weight transmitting panels so that six bottle-receiving openings are provided, these openings being so arranged that bottles may be supported in vertical position on the bottom panels in two parallel rows of three bottles each. In accomplishing this division of the space within the carrier, a pair of handle sections 25 and 26 are provided in a common plane disposed midway between the two side wall panels 2IA and 2| B. The handle section 25 is afforded by a pair of panels 25A and 25B that are disposed in a back-to-back relation and are secured adhesively together. and these two panels are foldably Joined to the end panels 22A and 22B at the juncture of such end panels. The handle section 26 is similarly afforded by handle panels 26A and 26B that are foldably joined to the end panels 23A and 23B at the juncture of such end panels and are adhesively secured together in a backto-back relation. These handle sections extend toward each other from the respective end walls to which they are connected, and the length of the handle sections in a horizontal direction is in each instance substantially equal to one-third of the length of the carrier.

The inner end of the handle section 25 is connected to the side wall panels '2IA and 21B by weight supporting and bottle separating panels 21A and 21B, respectively, while the inner end of the handle panel 26 is connected to these side walls by weight supporting and bottle separating panels 28A and 28B. These panels are, in each instance, connected foldably to the related handle panels and the side wall panels. as will hereinafter be described in detail.

Through the structure thus described, the carrier is divided so as to aord a pair of bottle receiving openings or compartments adjacent to each end of the carrier, and the space in the central portion of the carrier is similarly divided into two bottle receiving openings or compartments through the provision of a central separating panel 29 that, in the erected carrier, is disposed in the plane of the two handle sections 25 and 26 and between the adjacent ends of these handle panels. The handle panels 25 and 26 must, of course, move toward each other in the erection of the carrier, and under the present invention, the central bottle separating Wall or panel 29 is supported for movement relative to these handle panels in the course of erection of the carrier. Thus, a pair of webs 30 and 3I are foldably connected to the vertical edge of the central panel 29 that is adjacent to the handle section 26, and the web 30 is extended to the left as viewed in Fig. 4 and is foldably connected to the panel 28A substantially midway between the handle panel 26 and the side wall 2IA. The

web 3I is similarly connected to the panel 28B.`

At the other end of the central panel 29, webs 32 and 33 are associated with the central panel 29 in substantially the same way and these webs 32 and 33 are respectively connected to what may be termed the mid-points of the panels 21A and 21B, respectively.

'Ihe carrier 20 that is thus afforded is provided with an upwardly extending handle 35 which may be made from wire. The handle 35 is generally U-shaped in form so as to afford a. cross bar 35B, downwardly projecting arms 35A at each end of the cross bar, and reversely bent hooks 35H at the lower ends of the arms 35A. These hooks 35H are extended through vertical slots 36 `that are aorded in the adjacent upper corners of the handle sections 25 and 26 so that the carrier maybe readily lifted by engagement of the handle 35. It will be observed that the slots 36 are elongated in a vertical direction as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and this enables the handle 35 to be depressed when it is desired to stack one loaded carrier directly on top of another loaded carrier.

In connection with the central separating wall 29, it should be observed that this wall is afforded by rather irregular panels 29A and 29B that are secured together in a back-to-back relationship as will hereinafter be described in detail.

In the production of the bottle carrier 20 that is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the cardboard or like material is first formed t afford a blank such as that shown ln Fig. of the drawings, and this blank is thereafter folded and secured together in the manner illustrated in Figs. 6, I and 8. In Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be observed that the bottom panels 24A and 24B are joined together along a central longitudinal fold line 40. and along this fold line 40. two relatively large openings 4I are formed that, in the erected, carrier. are disposed directly beneath the inner ends of the respective handle panels 26. These openings 4| serve for drainage and Ventilating purposes, and under the present invention serve an additional function in affording a locking means, as will hereinafter be described.

Along the other edge of the bottom panel 24A'. the side wall panel 2IA is joined along a fold line 42 that is parallel to the fold line 40, and a similarly weakened fold line 43 joins the lower edge of the side wall panel 2|B to the other 'edge of the bottom panel 24B.

The end panel 22A has one vertical edge thereof joined along the fold line 44 to the left hand edge of the side wall panel ZlA', as viewed in Fig. ,5, while along the other edge of this end panel, a glue fiapr45 is joined by means of a weakened fold line 46. At the other end of the side wall panel ZIA. one vertical edge of the end panel 23A is joined by the fold line 41, while at the other edge of this end panel 23A. one edge of the handle panel 26A is joined along a weakened fold line 48. 'Ihe other edge of the handle panel 26A has one edge of the weight supporting panel 28A joined thereto along a weakened fold line 49. At the other edge of the weight supporting panel 28A, a weakened fold line 58 is formed. and this fold line 50 has an aligned lower portion 5ilL whereby the panel 29A is joined to the related elements as will hereinafter be described.

As will be evident in Fig. 5, the weight supporting panel 28A is of an inverted and generally L- shaped form, and a portion of the material in the lower right hand corner of this panel. and within the angle of the L, is formed to aord the web 30. Thus, midway between the fold lines 49 and 50. a weakened vertical fold line 5| is extended upwardly from the lower edge of the panel 28A to a point just above the mid-point of such panel. From the upper end of the fold line 5l the panel 19A. Between the slits 55 and 86 and the score line 51. a glue ilap 59 is afforded that corresponds generally with the glue flap 54.

At its other edge, the panel 21A is joined by a vertical fold line 60 to the inner edge of the handle panel 25A. and the panel 25A thus affords the right hand end of the portion of the blank that is connected to the side wall panel 2IA.

The other portions of the blank are associated with the side wall panel 2 IB, and for this purpose one edge of the end panel 23B is joined along a vertical fold line 6l to the right hand end of the panel 21B as viewed in Fig. 5. The other edge of the end panel 23B is joined by fold line 62 to the outer vertical edge of the handle panel 26B, while at the other edge of the handle panel 26B. a fold line 63 is formed which joins the panel 26B to one edge of the weight supporting and bottle separating panel 28B,

The central panel 29B is disposed to the right of the panel 28B in Fig. 5. while at the other side of the panel 29B, the panel 21B is disposed, and the arrangement of score lines in this area of the blank is somewhat complex. Thus, at opposite edges of the panel 29B. score lines 65 and B6 are formed which in effect define the horizontal extent of the panel 29B, and this panel 29B is arranged so that in its upper portion it will correspond in form with the upper portion of the panel 29A. Portions of the panels 28B and 21B are utilized to afford the webs 3i and 33 respectively, and the blank is suitably creased and slit to eiect this purpose. Thus, a vertical score line 61 is formed midway between the score lines 53 and 55. while a vertical score line 68 is formed midway between the score line 66 and the other vertical edge of the panel 21B. These score lines El and 68 are spaced from the horizontal edges of the panels. and one of these ends is so disposed that it will match with the loca.- tions of the upper ends of the score lines 5i and 58 when the carrier is assembled. From such end of the score line 51, a horizontal slit 'it is extended to the right in Fig. 5 past the score line 55 and about one-third of the way to the score line 56. At this point it meets with an angularly disposed slit 'il that extends to the edge 12 of a horizontal slit 52 is extended to the right. past y the foldgline and substantially one-third of the way across the panel 29A, which. below the slit 52. is foldably joined to the web 30 by the aforesaid lower portion 50L of the weakened fold line 50. At its right hand end as viewed in Fig. 5. the slit 52 merges with an upwardly extending slit 53 that extends to the upper end of the panel 29A. Thus, between the fold line 50 and the fold lines 52 and l53, a glue ap 54 is provided that is joined along the fold line 52 of the panel 28A.

The panel 29A is symmetrical about its central vertical axis, and this shape is aiorded by a downwardly extending slit 55 that merges with a horizontal slit 5B that extends to the right past a weakened vertical fold line 51. Thus. the horizontal slit 56 extends at the level of the slit 52 and part way across the weight supporting and bottle separating panel 21A, and the slit 56 terminates at a vertical score line 58 that extends upwardly from the lower edge of the panel 21A. The panel 21A is of an inverted and generally L- shaped form and the score line 51 has a lower portion 51L whereby the web 32 is connected to the blank. Another slit 'i3 and a merging horizontal slit 1t are extended to the corresponding end ol' the fold line 53 so that the panel 28B is dened in such a way that it will correspond with the form of the upper portion of the panel 29A. The other ends of the score lines 51 and 68 are joined by a horizontal slit 15 which is spaced. from the edge 15 of this portion of the blank. This arrangement of score lines and slits serves in the iirst instance to define the panels 29B and the webs 3l and 33, and in addition, the panels 21B and 28B are joined together'by a continuous glue ap 18 located between the slit 15 and the edge 15. Between the slit 15 and 1| and the score line 55, a glue ap y19 is formed, while between the slits 13 and 14 and the fold line 56, a glue ap is afforded. 'I'he function and relationship of these elements will become apparent as the description of the assembly and erection of the carrier proceeds.

At the other or right hand edge of the panel 21B, a weakened fold line 8l joins this panel to the handle panel 25B, while a weakened fold line 82 at the opposite edge of the panel 25B joins this panel to one edge of the end wall panel 22B. At the other edge of the panel 22B, a glue ilap 83 is joined by a weakened fold line 84.

sans

. tend downwardly as shown in Fig. 12 beyond the upper ends of the slots 36 in the opposed panels. Through this arrangement the handle 35 may have the hook 85H thereof inserted as shown in Fig. 12A so as to fold the tabs 85 through the slots 86 in the other of the opposed panels. This affords a better weight transmitting engagement between the handle 35 and the cardboard elements of the structure. As shown in Figs. 1 to 13 of the drawings, the slots 36 terminate relatively close to the upper edges of the handle panels in which they are formed, but as shown in Fig. 13A, these slots may be spaced downwardly from the upper edges of the handle panels as indicated'bs1 slot 86L and the tab 85L illustrated in this view.

When a blank has been formed as illustrated in Fig. of the drawings, such blank may be folded and secured together in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8. Thus, adhesive is applied at 86 along the remote edge portion of the upper surface of the panel 25A, and adhesive is also applied to corresponding faces of the glue aps 54, 58, 18, 'i8 and 80 as indicated by dotted representations in Fig. 5. The blank is then folded as indicated at Fig. 6, the glue glap .45 being folded along the fold line 46 onto the upper face of the blank, while the panel 22B is folded along the fold line 82 onto the top of the blank as shown in Fig. 6. Adhesive is then applied to the upwardly facing surface of the glue flap 83 as indicated by a dotted surface in Fig. 6.

The blank is then folded along the fold lines 48 and 62 into the relationship shown in Fig. 7, and when this is done, the glue area 88 is pressed against the glue flap 45 so as to thereby foldably secure the end panel 22A to the handle panel 25A. In this same operation, the glue flap 83 is pressed against the left hand end portion of the side wall panel 2 IB thereby to foldably relate the end panel 22B to the side wall panel 2IB. Such folding also places glue flaps 54 and 58 against the side wall panel 2lA and places the glue flaps 18, 18 and 80 against the side wall panel 2IB. This action serves to foldably relate the panels 21A and 28A to the side wall panel 21A, and to foldably relate the panels 21B and 26B to the side -wall panel 2IB.

When the blank is in the form shown in Fig. 7, adhesive is applied to the upwardly facing surfaces of the panels 25B, 26B and 28B, and the blank is then folded along the central longitudinal fold line 40 so as to bring the panels 25B and 26B into an opposed or back-to-back relation with respect to the panels 25A and 26A. The panels 28A and 29B are also disposed in a backto-back relation, and are secured in this relation by the adhesive that has been applied to the panel 28B.

Upon completion of the operations just described, the carrier is in its completed and collapsed form as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, and when the carrier is to be used, the necessary erecting forces may be applied by engagement of the extended edges of the end panels 22 and 28. As such forces are applied, the carrier moves toward the relationship shown in Figs. and 1l, and it will be observed that as this erecting operation takes place, the webs 30 to 33 support the central panel in the proper relation midway between the side wall panels and the adjacent edges of the handle panels. Upon completion of the erecting movement, the parts assume the relationships illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 and the carrier may then have the handle applied thereto.

'I'he carrier as illustrated in, Figs. 1 to 4 will, of course, be held in erected condition by the handle 85, or this may be accomplished by immediately placing the carrier within the coniined space afforded in the ordinary wood bottle-case. It is, however, desirable in some instances to retain the carrier in its erected condition inde` pendently of the handle 85 or without mounting the carrierimmediately in a case. In Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated whereby this may readily be accomplished.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings is similar in most respects to the previously described embodiment, but as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the handle sections25 and 26 have downwardly extended locking elements formed thereon for interlocking cooperation with the openings 4I in the bottom wall to hold the carrier in its erected condition. Thus, the panel 26A has a hook element 82, formed at its lower right hand corner as viewed in Fig. 14. and having a' tooth 82T extending to the left at a point somewhat below the lower edge of the panel 28A. Similarly, a hook element 88 extends downwardly from the lower left hand corner of the panel 25A, and this hook has a tooth 88T extending to the right, as viewed in Fig. i4. When" the carrier is produced from the blank shown in Fig. 14, the hook elements 82 and 88 extend downwardly from the handle sections 25 and 26, and when the carrier is erected, these hooks 82 and 88 may be moved into position over the respective openings 4I. Such hooks may then be moved through the openings 4I and the opposed endwise forces on the carrier may be released so that the teeth 82T and 88T will move into position beneath the bottom wall. This relationship is illustrated in Fig. l5, and the engagement of the hook elements prevents endwise separation of the handle panels 25 and- 26 and thus the carrier is held in erected condition.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention enables bottle carriers to be advantageously constructed Ifrom cardboard or like material, and such carriers not only aiord individual compartments for the bottles, but are arranged for erection in an exceptionally convenient manner. It will also be evident that under the present invention a carrier may be erected and locking means may be brought into engaging relationship with a minimum of effort .so that the handle need not be applied to the carrier immediately upon erection thereof.

Under the present invention the carrier may be erected by the use of endwise opposing forces on the collapsed carrier, and a central division wall is brought into place automatically as an incident to such erection of the carrier.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable o1' variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A pre-formed collapsible bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and comprising, when erected, a pair of similar bottom #isaiasi-t wall panels joined along''fa `central ioldllne, a

spectiv ends o oppositeedges'falong" vertical fold lines to the'ad`l jacent end edges of sa f 'side v'vails joined along*- their"resoeuye ges along ioldflines 'tothe respective other id Sidev Walls, eachf Said' joined at their 1adjacent 'jedges'y in afoldable `re1- lation, a pair of' handlesectionsdisposed parallel toi'and'fmedially'fbetween'said-side walls` and lofl cated in spaced relation to'each other andadable Kconnectior'i` between `the panelsy o1.' vsuch end `walls, saidv handle lpanels having 4li'andle receiving openings formed 'respectively vthereinror, re-'- jacent said end walls, `said handle sections each" being fold'ably j'olne'dto said end walls at' the fold-' 1 lines oi the carrier,"

panels alonsrticl' ,fold ,11.nes.d1SP9-Sed m1dwr between opposite ends'A ofA said weight supporting panels to thereby afford a six compartmentcel'v lular 'structure adapted for erection; byv applica` tionf ot opposed forces to thefoppose'dend fold* closely spaced and generally'parallel relation,"a

palroi side walls joined along their respective lower edges along fold lines to the 'respective 'other` edges `of said bottom panels and extended1 in vlclosely spacedrelation from and in substantially ceiving the opposite 'end portions of alseparate);

handle, weight supporting-` andbottle separating panels extended between and foldablyrelated t the opposite edges of each of said handle sections and each' of said side walls in parallel relation to said end walls, a-supportlng web vpivoted -on vertical fold line at the-half' points ofeach weight supporting panel and formed from the material; of the weight supporting panel to'which it is joined', anda central bottle separating panel disposed in the plane of said handle panels and joined along vertical fold lines to two of said webs at each ofthe ends of said central'separating panel.

2. A pre-formed co formed from cardboardor like material and com- PriSing.

closely spaced and generally'parallel relation, a

pair of side walls joined along their respective lower edges along fold lines to the respective other edges of said bottom panels and extended in closely spaced relation iromf'and in substantially the planes of the respective bottom panels .to

ywhich they are joined, end walls for the respectiveV ends 'of the carrier and eachfcomprising a of'slmilar end panels 'joined at their adjafcent edges along end fold lines, and having the other vertical edges thereof joined along fold l lines ,toy the adjacent end edges of the respective side.. walls said end panels being disposed vin closely spacedrelation as endwise continuations oisaid side walls so as to disposesaid end fold lines at `the end extremities of the collapsed carllapsible bottle. carrier i.

which they are joined, end walls for the'respective'ends of theicarrier and each comprising a pair of similar end panels-joined at their adjacent edges alongv end fold lines, andhaving the otherv vertical edges thereof joined along fold lines to the adjacent end edgesoi the respective side walls, said end panels being disposed in closely spaced relationas endwise continuations oi said side walls so as to dispose said end fold lines at the end extremitiesot vthe collapsed car-` rier, a pair :of handle sectionsdisposed generally parallel to and between the respective pairs oi end panels and vbeing foldably joined to said end walls at the end 'fold lines that join the panels of such end walls.said handle panelshaving handie receiving openingsformed respectively therein adjacent tothe adjacent upper corners thereof, weight supporting and bottle separating panrier, 'a k'pair o! handle sections disposed generally parallel to. and between the respective pairs :101' end,` panels and being foldably joined to said,

els of .such nend walls, said handle panels having handle Irleceiving o nings formed ,respectivel when `in its collapsed relation, oi f pe y' similar bottom wallpanels Vjoined along a central foldlineand folded along `'said fold line'into ay;

'Y scent to the adjacent upper corners width equal to the width of said end vertical fol'dlines to the opposite edges of ea hor said handle sections and each oi said side walls in parallel relation to said end panels, a central separating panel disposed in the plane ot said handle sections and of a predel termined length equal to the distancel between the fold lines by which'said weight supportingl panels-are joined to said side walls, and a pair of webs at each end of said central separating panel and joined thereto along vertical fold lines, each oi saidwebs being oi a length equal to one- Vhalf 'of vsaid 'predetermined length and being joined at their other ends to the adjacent weight supporting panels along vertical fold lines disposed midway between opposite ends of said weight supporting panels to thereby aord a six compartmentcellular structure adapted for erection by application of opposed ,forces to the opposed end i'old lines of the carrier, s aid webs,

, said central separating panel, said handle panels, and said weight supporting panels lon each side els of a width equal to the width of said end panels and extended between and v foldably related along vertical fold-lines tothe opposite edges `oi' each of said handle sections and. each oftsaid side walls in parallel relation to said end panels, a central separating panel disposed in the plane of said handle sections andoi a predetermined' length equal to the distance between the fold lines by which said weight supporting panels are joined to said sidewalls, anda pair of webs at each end of said central separating panel yand joinedtheretoalong verticalfold lines, eachof said'webs being of a length equal to one-half said predetermined lengthand being joined at their of the vertical center planeet the carrier being formed from continuous strips 'of material formed by cut and crease lines todeilne the respective elementaf'r l.

V4. 'A pre-formed collapsible bottle carrier `formed -iromcardboard o r like materlaland comprising, when erected, a pair of similarv bottoni l,wall panels joined along "a central 'fold line, a

pairl of side walls joined alongthelr respective lower edges along fold lines tothe respective' other edges of said bottom panels, end walls for other ends to the adjacent weight supporting tlon,

the'respective ends of the carrier and each joined at opposite edges along vertical fold line'skto Vthe adjacent end edges of said side walls, each 'of said end walls comprising a pair or similar panels'A joined at their adjacent edges in a ioldablerela'- a pair of handle sectionsv disposed, parallel Mie planes of the` -respective bottomv panelgjmy n atthe end fold lines that join the pane ht supporting and bottle separating extended between and foldably ref to and medially between said side walls and located in' spaced relation to each other and adjacent said end walls, said handle sections each being foldably joined to said end walls at the foldable connection between the panels of such end walls, said handle panels having handle receiving openings formed respectively therein for receiving the opposite end portions oi' a separate handle, weight supporting and bottle separating panels extended between and foldably related to the opposite edges of each of said handle sections and each of said side walls in parallel relation'to said end walls, a supporting web pivoted on vertical fold line at the half points of each weight supporting panel and formed from the material of the weight supporting panel to which it is joined,'said webs in each instance being spaced downwardly from the upper edges of said weight supporting panels, and a central bottle separating panel disposed in the plane of said handle panels and joined along vertical fold lines to two of said webs at each of the ends of said central separating panel.

5. A pre-formed collapsible bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and comprising, when erected, a pair of similar bottom wall panels joined along a central fold line, a pair of side walls joined along their respective lower edges along fold lines to the respective other edges of said bottom panels` end walls for the respective ends of the carrier and each joined at opposite edges along Vertical fold lines to the adjacent end edges of said side walls, each of said end walls comprising a pair of similar pan- Y eis joined at their adjacent edges ina foldable relation, a pair of handle sections disposed parallel to and medially between said side walls and located in spaced relation to each other and adjacent said end walls, said handle sections each being foldably joined to said end walls at the foldable Aconnection between. the panels of such end Walls, sidhandle panelshaving handle receiving openings formed respectively therein, weight supporting and bottle separating panels formed as extensions of said handle panels and joined thereto along fold lines, said separating panels having elements joined along fold lines at their other edges and secured to said side walls so that said separating panels extend between and are foldably related to the opposite edges oi each of said handle sections and each of said side walls in parallel relation to said end walls, a central separating panel formed from material severed along slits from the material between said attaching elements, and webs formed from the material of said weight supporting panels and `foldably joinedto said central separating panel to center and support thesame in the plane of said handle panels.

6. A pre-formed collapsible bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and comprising, when erected, a pair of similar bottom wall panels joined along a central fold line, a pair of side walls joined along their respective lower edges along fold lines to the respective other edges of said bottom panels, end walls for the respective ends of the carrier and each joined at opposite edges along vertical i'old lines to the adjacent end edges of said side walls, each of said end walls comprising a pair of similar panels joined at their adjacent edges in a foldable relation, a pair of handle sections disposed parallel to and medially between said side walls and located in spaced relation to each other and ad- .jacent said end walls, said handle sections each being foldably joined to said end walls at the foldable connection between the panels of such end walls, said handle panels having handle receiving openings formed respectively therein, weight supporting and bottle separating panels formed as extensions of said handle panels and joined thereto along fold lines, said separating panels having elements joined along fold lines at their other edges and secured to said side walls so that said separating` panels extend between and are foldably related\`to the opposite edges of each of said handle sections and each of said side walls in parallel, relation to said end walls, a central separating panel comprising a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upstanding portion centered between the edges of said wide .lower portion, and webs formed from the material oi' said weight supporting panels and foldably joined tothe respective edges oi' said wide portion of said central separating panel to center and support the same in the plane of said handle panels.

7. A pre-formed collapsible bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and comprising, when erected. a pair of similar bottom wall panels joined along a central fold line, a pair of side walls joined along their respective lower edgesalong fold lines to the respective other edges of said bottom panels, end walls for the respective ends of the carrier and each joined at opposite edges along vertical fold lines to the adjacent end edges of said side walls, each of said end walls comprisinga pair of similar pany els joined at their adjacent vertical edges in a --foldable relation, a pair of handle sections disposed parallel to and medially between said side walls and located in spaced relation to each other and adjacent said end walls, said handle sections each being foldably joined to said end walls at the foldable connection between the panels of such end walls, said handle panels having handle receiving openings formed respectively therein for receiving the opposite end portions of a separate handle, weight supporting and bottle separating panels extended between and foldably related to the opposite edges of each of said handle sections and each of said side walls in parallel relation to said end Walls, supporting webs pivoted on vertical fold lines at the half points of the respective weight supporting panels to which they are joined, and a central bottle separating panel disposed in the plane of said handle panels and joined along vertical fold lines to two oppositeiy related webs at each of the ends l of said central separating panel to be thereby supported by said webs cooperating in a parallelograin relationship with said weight supporting panels during collapsing or erecting operations.y

MAYNARD G. HALL. A

REFERENCES CITED The vfollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 269,221 Mueller Dec. 19,1882 1,981,647 Johnson Nov. 20, 1934 2,192,412 Reaume Mar. 5, 1940 2,344,567 Sidebotham Mar. 21, 1944 2,345,746 Goodyear Apr, 4, 1944 2,354,370 Gilbert July 25', 1944 2,418,350 Holy Apr. 1, 1947 2,425,140 Allen Aug. 5, 1947 

